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    Johnasb's Avatar
    Johnasb Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Nov 2, 2007, 04:17 PM
    Residential Sewer Ejection Pump and GFI
    I have a sump pump in the backyard that was replaced 6 months ago.
    I had it wired through a GFI and it worked fine until now.
    Now it trips the GFI after 20 seconds. Then will only reset for a couple seconds unless I wait a half hour to reset it. Then I can get another 20 seconds.
    Anyway, the manufacturer is saying that it should not be on a GFI so they won't replace the pump.

    Is this typical that it should not be on a GFI? Does the fact that it does trip the GFI indicate that there is a problem with the pump? Should that be a warranted problem? If I wire it without a GFI will it trip the breaker when there is a risk of electrical shock around the concrete sump basin? If not, is there some other way to auto-detect this hazard?
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #2

    Nov 2, 2007, 04:42 PM
    Try it without the GFI, bet it works. GFI is not used for sump pumps and it appears that's what the manufacturer is saying too. The breaker will protect a short but not a ground fault. Your concern is probably higher than needed and it should be just fine on a good three prong receptacle.
    iamgrowler's Avatar
    iamgrowler Posts: 1,421, Reputation: 110
    Ultra Member
     
    #3

    Nov 3, 2007, 04:40 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Johnasb
    I have a sump pump in the backyard that was replaced 6 months ago.
    I had it wired thru a GFI and it worked fine until now.
    Now it trips the GFI after 20 seconds. Then will only reset for a couple seconds unless I wait a half hour to reset it. Then i can get another 20 seconds.
    Anyway, the manufacturer is saying that it should not be on a GFI so they won't replace the pump.

    Is this typical that it should not be on a GFI? Does the fact that it does trip the GFI indicate that there is a problem with the pump? Should that be a warranted problem? If I wire it without a GFI will it trip the breaker when there is a risk of electrical shock around the concrete sump basin? If not, is there some other way to auto-detect this hazard?
    A 30 amp dedicated breaker located in the service panel should be sufficient for your needs.

    A GFI is just asking for trouble, usually pump failure when you need the pump the most.

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